WEATHER: Although frequent afternoon and evening showers
occurred during the month of July 1999, rainfall over most of the
state was well below normal. Monthly precipitation ranged from
about five inches below normal at West Palm Beach to about a half
inch below at Daytona Beach. Ft. Pierce recorded only six tenths
inch of rain falling during July. Temperatures during July averaged
normal to one degree above with several stations recording at least
one high of 100 degrees or more. Dry soils delayed the laying of
plastic for fall crop planting in the southern half of the Peninsula
during late July into early August with some growers in the East
Coast region irrigating prior to laying plastic. For the month of
August, rainfall totaled from an inch at Avalon to almost eighteen
inches at Bradenton. Precipitation ranged from over four inches
below normal at Inverness to almost seven inches above at Miami.
Most temperatures averaged one to two degrees above normal. The
threat of bad weather from Hurricane Dennis, Hurricane Floyd, and
Tropical Storm Harvey delayed the start of fall crop planting
throughout September. Dry conditions turned wet during early
September as daily rains arrived over most of the Peninsula. Rain
from Floyd during mid-month helped ease drought conditions in
many localities. Dade County and southwestern localities felt the
brunt of rain from Harvey after mid-month with some drainage
canals overflowing. Rain from tropical waves passing over the state
near the end of September flooded some low lying areas in some
southeastern coastal areas. Cloud cover from the tropical systems
kept most temperatures below normal during the last half of
September.

This first quarterly release for the 1999-2000 season shows
acreage for harvest during fall months of October through
December based on conditions existing October 1. Estimated
acreage for harvest by growing areas is presented in the follow
ing order: area, previous year (1998), current year (1999).

SNAP BEANS: Planting was active in the southern areas during
September. In Dade County the crop is in very good condition. In
other areas the crop is in fair to good condition. (Southeast, 3,800,
3,600; Southwest and Everglades, 2,000, 1,900; other areas;
2,000, 1,200; All areas, 7,800, 6,700)

CABBAGE: Planting was active in all fall and winter cabbage areas
during September. The crop is in fair to good condition. (All areas,
400,450)

CUCUMBERS FOR FRESH MARKET: Planting started during early
September in the Palmetto-Ruskin region. Some East Coast growers
began planting by early October. The crop showed no significant
damage from the strong winds and heavy rains caused by tropical
storms and hurricanes passing nearby during September. (West
Central, 1,400, 2,000; Southwest, 1,000, 1,000; Southeast, 300,
600; other areas, 800, 700; All areas, 3,500, 4,300).

EGGPLANT: Planting began in August in the East Coast area and
continues at the present time in the Southwest area. The crop is in
fair to good condition with tying and staking active as needed. (All
areas, 700, 600)

ESCAROLE-ENDIVE: Planting of limited acreage began by mid-
September with some activity delayed due to the nearby passage of
tropical storms and hurricanes. (All areas, 150, 250).

SWEET C0RN: Heavy rains in September caused some discoloring
in fields around Zellwood with dry weather needed for plants to
recover. Planting gained momentum during late September in the
Everglades area. Picking is expected to begin in November in the
Zellwood region. (Everglades, 3,050, 2,800; Central, 1,750, 1,400;
other areas, 800, 800; All areas, 5,600, 5,000).

BELL PEPPER: East Coast growers began planting of a limited
acreage during late July, while Palmetto-Ruskin and Southwest
producers started in late August. Young plants in the East Coast
region not protected by wind breaks suffered some damage from
wind and blowing sand when tropical storms and hurricanes passed
by in September. Growers planned to replant some recent trans
plants suffering this damage. (Southwest, 2,900, 2,850; Southeast,
2,200, 2,200; West Central and other areas, 2,400, 2,450; All
areas, 7,500, 7,500).

TOMATOES: Planting around Quincy started about mid-July with
growers finishing by late August. Significant planting got underway
about mid-August in the East Coast and Palmetto-Ruskin regions.
Southwestern producers started transplanting in late August while
Dade County growers began planting about mid-September.
Hurricane Floyd and Tropical Storm Harvey caused no significant
damage to the early planting but delayed some fieldwork during mid
to late September. Land leveling prior to planting allowed water to
drain rapidly from most acreage. However, rain from these storms
filled drainage canals to the brim with some overflowing.
Harvesting of a small amount started in the Quincy area during the
last week of September. (Southwest, 6,800, 6,000; Palmetto-
Ruskin, 6,100, 5,500; East Coast, 1,300, 1,400; other areas,
1,500, 1,600; All areas, 15,700, 14,500).

UNITED STATES

SNAP BEANS: Fall fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at
16,100 acres, up 1 percent from last year but 11 percent less than
1997. New Jersey reports a normal season. In South Carolina,
most of the crop is located in the southeast and was not affected by
flooding associated with Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd, but did
receive adequate rainfall for a good crop.

CABBAGE: Fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 5,650
acres, up 9 percent from last year but 10 percent below 1997. In
Georgia, recent scattered showers throughout the State have
improved conditions after the summer drought. New Jersey acreage
has been affected by low market prices and unfavorable weather
conditions.

SWEET CORN: Fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at
9,100 acres, down 5 percent from last year and 12 percent less
than 1997. The California crop is on schedule for harvest with only
minor pest problems.

CUCUMBERS: Acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 8,800 acres, 16
percent above last year and 9 percent above 1997. In South
Carolina, recent rainfall has improved chances of a good harvest and
most of the State, with the exception of the Pee Dee area, was
spared the excessive rains of Hurricanes Floyd and Dennis. In
Virginia, some fields were affected by excessive rains in mid-
August.

ESCAROLE/ENDIVE: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is forecast
at 650 acres, the same as 1998 but 28 percent below 1997.
Extremely dry summer conditions in New Jersey affected the fall
planting.

BELL PEPPER: Fall acreage for harvest is forecast at 8,500 acres, 2
percent less than 1998 but the same as 1997.

TOMATOES: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is forecast at
25,400 acres, 3 percent above last year and 5 percent above 1997.
Cool weather in California allowed the plants to develop well.
Quality of California tomatoes has been reported as exceptional with
above average size. Markets are expected to be stronger as the
season moves into the late summer and fall periods.